Best Gaming Keyboards

Review & Comparison, Last Update September 17, 2017

Are you looking for a decent gaming keyboard that would hand you victory? The one that would last for hundreds of hours of merciless gaming? Behold, seeker, your quest is now complete. Check out our shortlist and let your competitive spirit take the reins with your new gaming keyboard!...Read more...Read less

Corsair gaming keyboard has a soft-touch wrist rest. This model of gaming keyboard features easy-access dedicated multimedia control keys. Any key can be set up for a macro. This gaming keyboard provides 1ms, 2ms, 4ms, 8ms polling rate modes and a BIOS mode. The keyboard is easy to clean.

CONS

You'll need to download the Corsair Utility Engine software.

OUR VERDICT

Thanks to the built-in, onboard memory, you'll only need to set this gaming keyboard's settings for lighting (even multicolor animation) and performance once, and it'll always be ready for use, and that allows taking the keyboard wherever you go.

Razer BlackWidow gaming keyboard provides allows you to set up a macro to any key, together with 5 dedicated macros keys. It also allows for 10-key rollover. Razer Synapse software serves to set up the backlighting. The Gaming Mode option allows for precise gaming.

CONS

The matte housing of the keyboard is not fingerprint-resistant.

OUR VERDICT

This gaming keyboard is perfect for hardcore gamers. It features excellent durability of up to 80 million keystrokes, a great benefit even compared to other conventional mech switches. The braided fiber cable adds to the reliability.

This neat gaming keyboard features convenient, swappable rubber feet. The hotkeys allow you to quickly switch between windows and tabs. It also has two USB 2.0 ports and support anti-ghosting for 20 keys.

CONS

The keyboard will serve for about 5 million keystrokes.

OUR VERDICT

Lots of additional dedicated keys make this keyboard perfect for both gaming and typing, as well as working with various visual editors.

The Logitech gaming keyboard comes with a convenient wrist rest. The keyboard provides the 26-key rollover and 6 programmable G-keys for macros assignment. It also has 4 levels of backlighting brightness which can be adjusted with a special key. The dedicated multimedia keys provide for easy playback control.

CONS

The keyboard is backlit with only one color.

OUR VERDICT

A gaming keyboard with a very good stability thanks to its optimal weight and rubberized feet. It's ideal for intensive use, be it gaming or typing. The Game Mode switch disables the Win key.

Razer Turret is an all-in-one gaming solution, a full-fledged wireless gaming keyboard and a mouse with an integrated magnetic mousepad, and a dock for charging and storing. It also provides a 26-key rollover.

CONS

There are no dedicated switches for gaming.

OUR VERDICT

This gaming keyboard and mouse make up a universal lapboard. The unique design and wireless connectivity allow playing your favorite games on a couch, with the keyboard on your lap. And this keyboard even features dedicated Android buttons.

What is a Gaming Keyboard

Gaming keyboards are specifically designed to provide an exciting experience of computer gaming. A good gaming keyboard will do the job for you, whether you are all into hardcore gaming, or simply like spending an hour or two at your computer playing games.

To unleash your full gaming potential, a gaming keyboard must combine perfect ergonomics and maximum performance in games. Such keyboards provide better feel, faster response and more key actions than conventional keypads, allowing for comfortable use of the keyboard over a long time. Gaming keyboards stand out among the others for their design, combining eye-catching look with extra dedicated switches and other gamer-friendly features. The switches, such as macros or multimedia keys, are usually grouped into separate blocks on the keyboard. Another attractive perk of gaming keyboards is a backlighting, often customizable with various colors and effects. A backlit gaming keyboard has a flashy look and sets off the keys — playing or typing in the dark is not an issue. Even if you're not in need for all the bells and whistles of a pro gaming keyboard, you will enjoy the convenience it adds to your everyday business and leisure.

We also recommend you see our best gaming mouse and gaming monitors reviews. A decent mouse, paired with the right gaming keyboard, will make your gaming process even more comfortable and enthralling, and a monitor will let you wholly immerse yourself into the gaming world.

What Features to Compare

The Design of the Keys is the first thing we recommend checking. Among the variety of switch types, the two most popular types of gaming keyboards are:

Mechanical gaming keyboards — considered best for gamers, mechanical gaming keyboards feature individual switches under each key, with key actions triggered by sufficient typing force. Most mechanical gaming keyboards benefit you with more than 50 million keystrokes. They are also perfect for typing, as mechanical keyboards feature a very good keystroke response.

Membrane gaming keyboards have a softer feel and quieter key actions than mechanical switches. They will serve you for up to 10 million keystrokes, but feature a considerably lower price. If you’re a non-hardcore gamer, a decent membrane keyboard will suffice.

Extra Features should also be considered when choosing a gaming keyboard. The best gaming keyboards feature additional keys which you’ll never see on a conventional keyboard, such as macros keys. Using macros keys with the appropriate software allows you to set up and customize a variety of keyboard shortcuts, making your gaming process more pleasant and simple. The keyboard can also have audio output and microphone input ports, as well as USB ports which make it easy to connect your headphones, mic, or gaming mouse directly to the keyboard. A gaming keyboard might as well have buttons for multimedia control, allowing you to switch tracks, pause or resume the playback when you’re listening to music or watching videos — a convenient option every fan of multimedia will definitely enjoy. Gaming keyboards are mainly connected to a gaming station via USB interfaces since a good response is essential for a good gaming. Some gaming keyboards may also provide wireless Bluetooth connectivity, allowing you to use the keyboard remotely and enjoy gaming from the comfort of your couch.

You might also want to pay some attention to the Backlight and Housing design of your chosen gaming keyboard. Gaming keyboards may feature numerous options for backlighting. Depending on what gaming keyboard you choose, you can fully customize the backlighting color, backlight separate zones or the keys you use most often. You can even create your own visual effects, such as light waves or pulsation. Match the backlighting with your gaming style, set up different backlight options for different games or simply switch it off. As regards the housing design of gaming keyboards, they are generally made of durable plastic to reduce weight and facilitate transportation. Every pro gamer can benefit by using gaming keyboards of their own — they are more familiar to use and, with all the settings saved, require no extra tuning.

Corsair K70

Design of the Keys

Corsair Gaming K70 is a dedicated mechanical gaming keyboard. The switches are made with the advanced Cherry MX Red technology, which provides for rapid actuation and makes the keyboard perfect for gaming. This Corsair gaming keyboard helps you keep winning for a long time without fatigue. The switches in this gaming keyboard were designed to benefit you with 50 million keystrokes. Stay focused on the game!

Features

This gaming keyboard provides the unique macro programming capabilities. The keyboard gives you the possibility to set up any key so that it triggers a macro — an indispensable feature to enhance your gaming experience. Its 104 full-key rollover and extreme anti-ghosting capacities ensure that your gameplay is incredibly smooth and accurate. There are also easily accessible dedicated multimedia keys, allowing you to easily play, pause, stop and skip your videos or audio tracks or adjust the volume. And thanks to the built-in memory, you’ll only need to configure the settings of your K70 Corsair gaming keyboard once to use it anywhere. Set up the performance and backlighting and take your gaming on-the-go!

Backlight and Housing

Corsair Gaming K70 is a fully customizable backlit gaming keyboard with 16.8 million RGB colors. This allows you to set up various color schemes to suit your taste and create your own unique color schemes for different games or key combinations. The housing of the gaming keyboard is made of anodized aircraft-grade aluminum which ensures light weight and high durability. This means that the gaming keyboard is resistant to accidental impacts and will serve you for a long time.

Razer Clicky

Design of the Keys

Razer BlackWidow Chroma Clicky is a mechanical gaming keyboard with a wonderful response. It allows for the most precise detection of the keystrokes. This gaming keyboard is designed to provide you with more than 80 million keystrokes, a much longer gaming experience than most conventional membrane gaming keyboards allow for. Take your skills to the next level with the world-renowned Razer gaming keyboard!

Features

Razer BlackWidow gaming keyboard features fully programmable keys, allowing you to assign a macro to any key you prefer. It also has five additional keys for macro recording, located on the left side of the keyboard. This gaming keyboard benefits you with the opportunity to record and set up different key combinations for your favorite games — a valuable feature that facilitates and enhances the gaming. The “Gaming Mode” disables the Windows key and prevents you from accidentally pressing it during the game. This Razer gaming keyboard also features impressive anti-ghosting capability with a 10-key rollover. A USB pass-through port, audio output and microphone input ports are the icing on the cake.

Backlight and Housing

This Razer gaming keyboard is fully backlit with 16.8 million color options. It can be customized for different games or set for certain keys. Razer Synapse, the first-ever cloud-based gaming setting network, serves to store all the settings. It allows you to save all the settings of Razer devices and download them from the cloud globally. So, you’ll be able to take the keyboard with you when you travel and enjoy your own gaming keyboard wherever you go.

SteelSeries Apex 300

Design of the Keys

This Apex gaming keyboard has high-end membrane switches. Such keyboard design doesn’t usually provide added performance, and the number of keystrokes is about 5 million. This SteelSeries gaming keyboard, however, features a high-end membrane technology which makes it extremely comfortable to use and allows for the same high quality as in mechanical gaming keyboards. So, if you opt for less resistance and soft typing sound, give this Apex gaming keyboard a try.

Features

To make sure your gameplay won’t be interrupted, the Win key can be disabled by a special key placed on the gaming keyboard itself. The 22 additional macro keys, located above the F-keys, let you record macros and provide easier access to all the combos. There are also two USB 2.0 ports for easy connection of various compatible devices. The six dedicated switches serve to simplify media control.

Backlight and Housing

This gaming keyboard has 5 independent zones, each backlit with 16.8 million color options. All this allows you to adjust color backlighting to suit your preferences. The backlit gaming keyboard is bright enough to see the keys in complete darkness. With maximum brightness the lighting is clearly visible in broad daylight. If needed, you can reduce the brightness or disable it completely with a key combination or using the SteelSeries Engine software. The keyboard also features swappable rubber feet which allow you to set the most comfortable angle whenever you play.

Logitech G710

Design of the Keys

Logitech G710 is a mechanical gaming keyboard which can serve for typing tasks as well. Its switches feature the advanced Cherry MX Blue technology, providing both a tactile bump and a clicky feel. This gaming keyboard provides a wonderful tactile feel and the force of keystrokes can be compared to that of membrane keyboards. Such switches are considered ideal for typing, and it’s very comfortable to use for gaming. The guaranteed number of keystrokes exceeds 50 million.

Features

Additionally, this Logitech gaming keyboard provides a built-in USB port for connecting and accessing various extra devices. There are also four brightness levels which can be configured with a special button. If you find the backlight distracting, just set the appropriate brightness level or switch it off. Don’t let an accidental keystroke ruin your progress and disable the Win button with the dedicated Game Mode switch. Moreover, this Logitech gaming keyboard provides you with easy access to multimedia controls for media playback and volume adjustment. The six dedicated keys allow you to set up various macros.

Backlight and Housing

This Logitech gaming keyboard features the adjustable, dual-zone white LED backlighting with four brightness settings. You can switch off the backlight for the entire keyboard or adjust the brightness of WASD and arrow keys independently for a more convenient gaming process. This gaming keyboard has a plastic base, it’s lightweight and easy to carry. The rubberized feet allow for better stability.

Razer Living Room

Design of the Keys

Razer Turret is a scissor-switch gaming keyboard with two pivoting cross-arms and a rubber dome. The scissor mechanism provides for better key stability in a slim profile. This ultra-slim ergonomic gaming keyboard is the same as in most modern laptop computers. Razer gaming keyboard provides enough space between the keys for more convenient gaming. The guaranteed number of keystrokes is about 10 million.

Features

Razer Turret is a gaming mouse and keyboard set with an inbuilt magnetic mouse mat. It’s a wireless gaming keyboard, still, it can withstand dozens of gaming hours without you having to charge it. The convenient charging dock in the package can also serve to store the keyboard or the mouse when not in use. The keyboard also has the dedicated Android buttons for Android gaming consoles. Razer Turret is a Bluetooth gaming keyboard which also features a wireless 2.4 GHz adaptor. Such dual wireless connectivity ensures hitchless and lag-free gameplay. Just connect your gaming keyboard to your PC or console, sit back on your sofa and enjoy playing!

Backlight and Housing

This gaming keyboard is backlit with Razer-style green LEDs, a distinctive feature which makes the advanced Razer gaming products easily recognizable among other devices. The manufacturer, however, does not offer the possibility of disabling the backlighting. But even with the backlighting always on, the keyboard can still be used for about four months of use on a single charge, with about 40 hours of non-stop playing on the mouse.